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"Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Around

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toysrrus

toysrrus

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:?Hi Folks;

I`m soon to rec. a "Luggage Rack" for My TR4A: It will need to be "Chrome Plated": Who knows of a Good Chrome Plater in the Delaware Valley Area besides "Pauls Chrome Plating"? What`s in Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown or Phillipsburg, NJ: I live in the Stroudsburg Area & Just searching for someone closer than Phil:

Thanks for Your Help;

Russ
 
I can't help you with platers in the area.

What I can tell you is this:

Chrome plating is slowly going AWAY! You will pay increased prices to the platers who choose to continue this practice. The EPA has put the kybosh on the hexavalent chromium waste stream.

I am involved in the testing of chrome alternatives for aircraft hydraulic actuators. Right now, we are looking at tungsten-carbide plating. Mind you, this if for industrial use...not gonna look like your dad's old Buick bumper. I wish the auto restoration community would work on this as hard as we are to find alternatives...they just seem to keep charging more.

Good Luck. My advice is to get your plating sooner, rather than later.
 
Don't know about your area, but there is an excellent chromer over our way in Evans City, PA. Paul's Chrome is often recommended in Auto Restorer magazine. He's very good but expensive. Six years ago, he wanted $1200.00 for "go" chrome on TR6 bumpers. I didn't inquire about "show" since his "go" is excellent.
A luggage rack is going to involve a lot of prep work and will probably be expensive regardless of who does it.
You may consider buying new, if available.
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

I concur. I am pretty sure that the aftermarket luggage racks available for the TR4 are made overseas where the environmental restrictions on chroming are not restrictive. The other option is go with a stainless steel model, if available. My TR6 has a stainless luggage rack from VB. Good quality, needed some work to level the feet pads. Kinda dug into the boot lid.
 
I just had two bumpers and a license frame done to show quality, triple plate process and the cost was $1,250. The plate frames are $125. I had no peeling or dents, just dull chrome and very minor pitting. It took 12 weeks in the slow season. Two years ago the same job was about $900. The longer you wait, the higher the cost, because no one new is going into the business for reasons stated above.

I had a spare license frame done at New England Chrome Plating in Hartford, CT, also an excellent shop, that I sold to Kodanja who is usually hanging around here. He can attest to their quality.

My bumpers were done at NuChrome in Fall River, MA. I haven't installed mine yet due to cold weather, but here are the pics: https://www.74tr6.com/bumperrechroming.htm

Good luck!
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Bill, do you have a picture of yours? And did you put anything under the pads between the rack and lid? Rubber insulator of sorts, etc.?
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

use an old inner tube car/bike whatever.Trace with a ball point ,mark holes,cut with shears. Looks great.
The beauty of chrome work has much to do with the metal finisher, just like body work.
My guy used to do good work,then he started farming out the metal work on small jobs to a grinder happy idiot.
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Thanx to All for Your Input:

I`m Very aware of "Pauls Chrome"; Good but Expensive: I Pd. $65.00 for the Rack: Moss Charges $375.00 for a New One: I guess that leaves Me around $300.00 to get It Plated: I was kind of; "Wishful Thinking"; to get It done around $150-$200.00????? I guess We`ll see soon enough: It should be here on Monday: Hey Lionheart; "TUNGSTEN CARBIDE PLATING"? I Sold Indexable Metal Cutting Tools made out of Tungsten Carbide: I never heard of It used for Plating? It`s Very Heat & Wear Resistant Mat`l. but even in Its Powder Form; It`s quite abrasive; Would`nt You think? I`ll let You folks know What It will cost Me to have the Rack Plated: I just had a Thought!! What about "POLISHING"? There is a Great Polishing Firm in the "Nazareth, PA" Area: I wonder? I don`t know what the Rack is made of; Meaning "Stainless, Aluminum or What"??

I`ll keep You People Informed of What I find out & do:

Thanx Again; Russ
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] The beauty of chrome work has much to do with the metal finisher, just like body work[/QUOTE]

That is the absolute truth! I watched those guys at NuChrome repairing some Edsel grilles and 57 Chrysler 300 bumpers and they are really metal working artists. If a shop can't weld and fix the base, the top will never look any good.

But the downside is that working in a plating shop hard, dirty and dangerous work. There really isn't any movement to fill the holes of the guys who retire or just walk away. So when the artists die or quit the company usually folds and that's one less to do the work.

I really did not want to spend the money on my bumpers at this time, but I was afraid that in a few years, the price would double or triple, if I could get it done at all
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

toysrrus said:
Hey Lionheart; "TUNGSTEN CARBIDE PLATING"? I Sold Indexable Metal Cutting Tools made out of Tungsten Carbide: I never heard of It used for Plating? It`s Very Heat & Wear Resistant Mat`l. but even in Its Powder Form; It`s quite abrasive; Would`nt You think?
Click to expand...

I'm not a metalurgist (so much so that I don't even know if I spelled it right). The engineers dream up the ideas...I just run the operational tests.

The actual plating we are testing is Tungsten Carbide Cobalt Chrome. The 5% chrome additive is to help prevent corrosion. The powder is applied via high-velocity oxygen-fuel gun. The surface is then micro-polished with stones until the smoothness factor is in the range of chrome.
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Huh; Interesting! Let me know How the tests turn out cause If It cost Me a Fortune to Chrome Plate My Rack; I`ll give It to You Folks as a "Sample Test Piece" to Prove out Your Experiment: What do You Think?

Where in NJ do Live? A Very Long Time ago; I was raised in "Clifton" / Moved to "Flanders" / Moved to "Blairstown" / Now in PA about 12yrs:

There "Used" to be a Plater in "Teterboro"; Opposite side of "Bendix Corp" off of RT.46: Would You know If they are still there? Can`t remember the Name of the Street but there`s an Industrial Park there:

Regards, Russ
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Hi Doug;

I`m familiar with "Pauls Chrome" from Hemmings etc etc: Where is "Evans City" near? I`m wondering If I can Drive down there and Delv. as well as Pick-Up: It`ll save some Bucks: Directions & or Approx. Location from "Allentown" would be Great:

Thanx, Russ
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

toysrrus said:
Huh; Interesting! Let me know How the tests turn out cause If It cost Me a Fortune to Chrome Plate My Rack; I`ll give It to You Folks as a "Sample Test Piece" to Prove out Your Experiment: What do You Think?

Where in NJ do Live?
Click to expand...
If they didn't believe that my Spit bumpers were airplane parts, I doubt they'll fall for the old luggage rack trick.

I live in Southern Jersey...near Mount Holly and Cherry Hill.
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Well; I guess You would`nt be too familiar with Northern Jersey: Nice try with Your Bumpers: I suspect Your Right; a Luggage Rack probably would`nt pass as "Any" Plane Parts with the exception of perhaps the Frame Work for a Seat! There`s a Thought!!

Have Fun;

Russ
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

I know it wouldnt be a restoration, but have you considered powder coating?
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Hi Joe: "Powder Coating"?? Do you mean Powder Coat to get a Chrome Look?? I never heard of that: I`m waiting for Paul of RI to get back to me with some Platers Name that He currently used in New England: $125.00 to Plate a Valve Cover: Looks really Good and the $$$ is not bad at all:

Thanx for the Thought;

Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Hi Russ,
Paul's Chrome is located in Evans City, PA. It's near Mars and Zelienople, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Unless you bring your parts in on a moped, I don't think you can deliver cheaper than ship.
Directions: Turnpike to the Cranberry Twp. exit. I-79N to Evans City exit(5-6 miles) Right off exit(Rt. 528) to red light. Right onto Rt 68. Second left(approx. 1/4-1/2 mile) across from old high school takes you into the small "Industrial Park" where Paul's is located. In Evans City, if you have two or more businesses together, it's either call Main Street or an industrial park.
Let me know if you decide to use him and make the trip. I know some of the less seedy places in the area.
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Bright silver powder coating is an option. If you don't have a local place (and make sure it will fit in their oven) contact Bob at Cape Cod Powder Coating for an estimate. It will have to be sand blasted, prepped and then coated and baked. Sometimes if the welds are fragile, you could have issues.

https://www.capecodpowdercoating.com/index.htm
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

I just remembered that I have a luggage rack that I bought some time ago and was considering getting it plated, since it has some pitting. I'll put it in the car and get a price in Hartford tomorrow when I'm over in CT.

At least we'll know what the cost should come in at or around.
 
Re: "Chrome Plating" Lost Art or are they Still Ar

Sounds Great to Me Paul:

I Emailed both Platers this AM: I suppose I "Won`t" get a Price Quote, Sight Un-Seen: I did direct them to Moss Motors Web Site w/a Part No. so at least they can See What It looks Like: Mine is "Pitless": Please let Me know ASAP: My Email Address is: toysrrus@localnet.com

Thanx Much;

Russ
 
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